C-3PO still wants you to stop smoking …

As someone who grew up with the “Star Wars” movies, I get more excited about talking to the behind-the-scenes people — George Lucas or Phil Tippett or Dennis Muren — than the principal actors. I’ve found that a lot of actors in iconic roles haven’t moved past the bitterness that comes with being typecast.

Courtesy Lucasfilm

Daniels played C-3PO in six films — and one underwear commercial.

But I had a really fun time talking to Anthony Daniels, who has played C-3PO for the past 33 years and is narrating the Star Wars: In Concert traveling symphonic arena show that’s coming to HP Pavilion on Sunday.

I often go into an interview with two sets of questions — one set of “good sport” questions and a second set of fall back questions if I detect that the subject takes himself really seriously. (You would be surprised how many comedians fall into the second category …) Daniels was very professional, but also a lot of fun. I was especially excited by his answer to my question about the anti-smoking PSA he did with R2-D2 — an obsession on The Poop for more than a year. I had to chop the interview down for space, including a brief question about his experience working for the “Star Wars Holiday Special” (“Dreadful”). But this version is a little bit longer than the one appearing in the paper.

Do you ever get recognized on the street?

I just came back from Disneyland this morning, and one person said, “Hey, I’m coming to see your show this evening.” My recognition level is such that it’s fun when it happens and perfectly fine when it doesn’t. … Star Wars: In Concert is my chance to take off the shine and put on a suit and be comfortable, frankly. To make eye contact with the audience is a very nice feeling.

Music is usually added after the movie is done shooting. Do you remember the first time you heard John Williams’ score?

The first moment I heard any music on “Star Wars” wasn’t John Williams, it was a temporary classical piece, and that was the first scene that came alive for me. … I heard the Williams score at the first screening I went to, and it was incredible. After that I made it a point to go to the scoring sessions (for the other films), just to watch John with the orchestra.

What’s the strangest voice work you’ve ever done as C-3PO?

I would say that a Kellogg’s breakfast cereal was pretty weird. And the Underoos commercials — I remember thinking they were a little bit strange. Thankfully, C-3PO was an honorable character, so he didn’t do too much weird stuff.

Would you agree to wear the C-3PO suit for “Star Wars: In Concert” for five times more money?

It would probably take 50 million times more. C-3PO says in the movies that he’s not a good storyteller, but then he does come through in the end. This concert is me, Anthony Daniels, telling you George’s stories, from a slightly different perspective.

new.bbc.co.uk

Daniels: Less neurotic in person.

Your voice sounds different in person — less fussy. Is it hard to get into the C-3PO character?

Not at all, because on and off over the years I’ve done so many hundreds of different things to do with 3PO, whether it’s a breakfast cereal or “The Muppet Show” or anti-smoking commercials, or whatever. His voice is very much with me.

Do you still remember your lines from that old anti-smoking public service announcement?

Remember them? I wrote them! I had already done a spot for the Health and Welfare Department, and told them I always wanted to do an anti-smoking spot. And they said, “Well, write one.” (Daniels goes into C-3PO voice) “R2-D2, you’ve found a cigarette! Well I don’t think smoking is grown-up at all …” Does that bring it back to you?